Polls Open in Hamilton, Larkhall, Stonehouse By-Election

Voting is underway in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election triggered by the death of SNP MSP Christina McKelvie, who had held the seat since its creation in 2011. The campaign has been marked by a tight three-way race between the SNP, Labour, and Reform UK, with Reform UK surging as a major contender, challenging the traditional dominance of the SNP and Labour. The by-election has been dominated by heated exchanges, including accusations of racism from Reform UK against Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and sharp criticism from SNP leader John Swinney, who describes the contest as a 'two-horse race' between SNP and Reform and urges voters to reject Reform's 'gutter politics.' Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm, with results expected early Friday morning, and the winner will serve until the Scottish Parliament elections in May 2026. The by-election is viewed as a key test for both Scottish Labour and the SNP ahead of next year’s elections, as parties seek to build momentum. Voters do not need photo ID to vote, and postal voters have been advised to ensure their ballots arrive on time or submit them at polling stations.